This Singapore Sneaker Store “Backdoors”
Guess which
I recently chatted with an ex-staff of a prominent Singapore sneaker store. They recounted their experience working there, running sneaker drops, and with “backdoor” selling. Names have been omitted.
Job expectations?
I was confident I’d get it; I know my shit. I think partially also because I’m [REDACTED], they thought I’d cater to similar customers.
Prior to applying, I’d queued at this sneaker store. I’d seen my superiors work, so after I joined I could guess how they ranked in hierarchy.
Staff at this sneaker store are arrogant.
We didn’t have commission, sales targets. So we didn’t care.
During drops, some customers try to suck up to us. Some of us have avoided interaction with customers.
BTS.
There wasn’t a “buying team.” All connections were made back-end by the boss.
The social media, marketing team helped out with retail. They’d know of drops first, to disseminate information online. If you’re close to them, you’d know if sneakers were coming.
Perks?
Firsthand information on drops, discounts.
If you wanted a shoe, you’d submit your name, shoe size, and who you’re buying it for into an online group chat. To avoid reselling. It changed to one-per-person, and you’d to wear it to work.
These were “staff ballots” which weren’t really ballots. You’d get selected based on who likes you.
The same people always got selected. I got every pair I wanted.
Higher-ups insisted the ballots were random, but they’d say, “You better buck up or you won’t get this shoe.”
Launches.
Depending on who’s in charge, some staff would disregard queue name lists and make their own.
“Backdoor” buying.
An outside customer who gets sneakers not by public means.
Staff have lied on staff ballots get pairs for people they know.
Staff would let customers they know buy more than one pair during limited drops.
One staff was in contact with an Indonesian reseller who’d buy multiple pairs back to Indonesia. They’d know what shoes were dropping soon, tell the reseller how many pairs, and in what sizes they’d be coming in. Once the store opened, they’d signal him in; he’d come with a Louis Vuitton luggage, and put all his sneakers in it.
We’d screenshot their IG stories, where they’d post pictures of their long sales receipts: “What a great Monday! Bye Bye Monday Blues!”
Ethics?
It’s not fair, something to be proud of. Real people aren’t selfish.
Can this sneaker store get away with bad behaviour?
This sneaker store is a business. It’s prominent. I’m a customer; I just want shoes.
